Braves Eye Complete Series Victory with Elder's Key Performance
Atlanta's Dominance: Eyeing Another Series Sweep
The Atlanta Braves, recognized for the top performance in MLB, are poised to complete a sweep against the visiting Pittsburgh Pirates. Their ace pitcher, Bryce Elder, is scheduled to start on Sunday, aiming to seal the series victory.
Series Lead and Season Achievements
The Braves have already claimed the first two games of the three-game set, marking their 18th series triumph of the current season. Following a 6-3 win on Saturday, Atlanta is now in a strong position to achieve its third three-game sweep of the year.
Pitching Matchup: Elder vs. Chandler
The series finale will feature a pitching duel between the Braves' right-hander Bryce Elder (5-3, 2.63 ERA) and the Pirates' right-hander Bubba Chandler (2-6, 4.89 ERA).
Elder's Resurgence and Consistency
In his fifth season with Atlanta, Elder has solidified his position in the rotation through 13 starts. He recently delivered a strong performance against the Toronto Blue Jays, pitching 6 2/3 innings and allowing three runs. This came after a challenging outing against Boston, demonstrating his ability to rebound and maintain consistency, having completed at least six innings in nine starts.
Elder's Strategic Pitching Approach
Elder reflected on his recent game, noting, "My sinker wasn't moving, and I've never had my sinker not move like that, especially since that's the pitch I probably throw more than any other pitch. [Catcher] Sandy [Leon] did a heck of a job getting me through that. It was just kind of mixing stuff and navigating through the lineup."
Elder's Historical Performance Against the Pirates
Across three career starts against the Pirates, Elder holds a record of 1-2 with an ERA of 5.00. Despite a loss to Pittsburgh last year, he still managed a quality start, yielding three runs over six innings.
Chandler's Return to Form
Bubba Chandler recently ended a five-game losing streak with a victory over Houston. He pitched five innings, allowing four runs on six hits and two walks, while striking out three. After a rough first inning where he gave up two runs, he regained his composure to secure his first win since April 17.
Pittsburgh Manager's Confidence in Chandler
Pittsburgh manager Don Kelly praised Chandler's resilience, stating, "It could have been completely different if Bubba gets out of his rhythm and started to press in the moment. It could have been completely different. He stayed with it. He continued to attack the strike zone and got through five innings. He gave us a chance to get the win and got the win."
Challenges with Chandler's Innings Pitched
Chandler's tendency not to pitch deep into games has placed additional strain on the Pittsburgh bullpen, as he has only managed to pitch into the sixth inning twice this season.
Chandler's Past Encounter with the Braves
A native of Lawrenceville, Ga., Chandler has faced the Braves once before. Last September, in his rookie season, he delivered an impressive performance, allowing only one hit over 5 2/3 innings with six strikeouts and no walks, leading to a 3-1 road win.
Dubon's Stellar Hitting Streak
Atlanta's Mauricio Dubon, after hitting home runs in three consecutive games, continued his strong performance on Saturday with two more hits, contributing to a nine-hit offensive display. He started in center field due to Michael Harris II's absence with back tightness.
Callihan's Return and Injury History
Pittsburgh third baseman Tyler Callihan was back in the lineup on Saturday, marking his first start since May 5, 2025. His previous season ended with a broken forearm sustained during a collision with the wall at Atlanta's Truist Park while playing for the Reds.
Manager Kelly on Callihan's Comeback
Kelly commented on Callihan's return, saying, "I think he has embraced it. We were trying to make sure that we got him into a game, and we just felt today was a good day to get Brandon Lowe to DH."
Lowe's Unfortunate Injury
Callihan contributed with an RBI double, but Brandon Lowe had to exit the game in the ninth inning after fouling a ball off his right kneecap. He was assisted off the field by the training staff.
Concerns Over Lowe's Injury
Post-game, Kelly shared his concerns about Lowe's injury with reporters: "It was a scary moment. He's getting checked out by the staff. Hopefully, we'll have something soon. ... It looked like [a foul ball] right around the knee. I know it didn't hit his leg guard, so I'm hoping for the best there."
